Penn State basketball transfer addition ranked among best in nation by ESPN

Jalen Pickett committing to Penn State was a pretty big deal for the Nittany Lions.

Penn State men’s basketball coach Micah Shrewsberry wasted little time in securing one of the best transfers in the nation. Jalen Pickett, who committed to Penn State earlier this spring after entering the transfer portal from Siena, was among the top college basketball transfers in a list compiled by ESPN.

Pickett was ranked No. 22 on a list of the top 100 college basketball transfers to date. The transfer commitment of Pickett had previously been praised as Shrewsberry has gone right to work to rebuild a Penn State basketball program in long need of a confident foundation for sustained success.

“Pickett actually had the worst statistical season of his career this past season, dropping to 12.9 points and 4.8 assists after going for at least 15 points and six assists in each of his first two seasons at Siena,” ESPN noted. “But he has size and shooting ability, and he can really pass.”

Penn State has lost a handful of players from last year’s roster through the transfer portal, however. Myreon Jones is the most notable of the departures from Happy Valley. Jones, ranked No. 45 by ESPN, is heading to the Florida Gators.

Guard Izaiah Brockington, ranked No. 84, is heading to Iowa State. It’s there he’ll be helping to fill a roster spot left vacant by Rasir Bolton, who also started his career at Penn State. Bolton (No. 44) is heading to national powerhouse Gonzaga.

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